What do climate-related increases in rainfall mean for a region that is one third below sea level? How can and must it adapt its drainage management? These questions are the driving force behind a new research project at the university.
Drainage management in the lowland areas along the North Sea coast is what makes their utilisation as settlement and economic areas possible in the first place. In order to keep the areas, some of which are below sea level, dry, there is an extensive system of ditches and sluice gates that drain excess rainwater into the North Sea and the lower reaches of the Ems, Weser and Elbe rivers with the help of sluice gates and pumping stations.
Climate change is not only changing the amount of precipitation, but is also causing higher tidal and storm surge water levels, which will make inland drainage much more difficult in the future. The area of the I. Emden Drainage Association, one third of which lies below sea level, is particularly affected. This presents the regionally responsible institutions with the task of jointly developing viable solutions.
This is where the KLEVER project ("Climate-optimised drainage management in the Emden association area") of the university in co-operation with the Jade University of Applied Sciences comes in. On the basis of model-based investigations, the scientists want to identify suitable measures and develop a concept to prepare inland drainage for climate change. Among other things, they will analyse the potential for improved retention and temporary storage of rainwater.
The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB) is funding the three-year project with 300,000 euros, with a further 50,000 euros being provided by the I. Emden Drainage Association. The association - alongside the district of Aurich, the city of Emden and the Lower Saxony Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation Agency (NLWKN) - is also acting as a cooperation partner for the project.
Its coordinators are Prof Dr Ingo Mose and Jan Spiekermann from the "Applied Geography and Environmental Planning" working group at the Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences at the university. A project-accompanying working group will involve regional stakeholders from water management, nature conservation, agriculture, tourism, regional and municipal planning in order to coordinate adaptation across the board. The results of the KLEVER project will be used for future water management and overall spatial planning in the Emden area, but will also be transferable to comparable coastal areas.
With the "Climate Change Adaptation Measures" programme, the BMUB is funding projects that strengthen the ability of regional and local actors to adapt to the consequences of climate change - through initiatives to raise awareness, dialogue and participation as well as networking and co-operation.
